Dunmore East Library and Waterford City & County Council Biodiversity Officer present an evening talk and workshop for scout groups on the wildlife of Dunmore East. Aimed at young eco-volunteers with a solutions-focused walk on how to protect local habitats.
Waterford Walls, the beloved festival that has been transforming the city’s walls into vibrant works of art, is gearing up for a monumental milestone in 2024 – its tenth anniversary! And trust us, they’re pulling out all the stops to make this year unforgettable.
Prepare to be wowed as an eclectic blend of talent from all over Ireland and across the globe descends upon Waterford. From the iconic Chris ‘Daze’ Ellis of NYC subway fame to the hyper-realism master Jeks from North Carolina, and Irish favourite Dan Leo, the roster is stacked with 38 awe-inspiring artists. Representing countries far and wide including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Peru, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, and beyond, this year’s lineup promises to be a true celebration of global creativity. Festival Manager Gabe McGuinness says he is excited to make the programme public after months of preparation: ‘we’re thrilled to be announcing such a jam-packed lineup of artists featuring long-running festival favourites and exciting new names never seen before in Waterford as we celebrate our 10th anniversary.’
The full Year Ten lineup is:
CLAIRE PROUVOST [FRA] | DAN LEO [IRL] | DAZE [USA] | ED HICKS [GBR] | .EPOD [GBR] | HALFSTUDIO [PRT] | HMC [IRL] | HOCK [IRL] | JEAN ROOBLE [FRA] | JEKS [USA] | JOHN BRADY [IRL] | KAROL [IRL] | KMG [SCO] LAIDBACK [IRL] | LIBERTAD RICE [ARG] | LIDIA CAO [ESP] | LOUIS MASAI [GBR] |LUOGO COMUNE [ITA] | MICHELLE URBAN [DEU] | NASCA UNO [DEU] | NEAN [BEL] NETO VETTORELLO [BRA] | NIALL.OL [IRL] | NOVICE [IRL] | OMIN [IRL] PEACHZZ [GBR] PENS [IRL] | RAME13 [ITA] | RASK [IRL] | ROISIN CLOTHIER [IRL] | SILLYME [ITA] SHANE O’MALLEY [IRL] | STAYLO [IRL] | SUFEK [IRL] | VARIOUS & GOULD [DEU]
But that’s not all – mark your calendars for August 9 to 18 because Waterford Walls is not just a festival, it’s an experience. Dive into a whirlwind of colour and culture with a jam-packed schedule featuring workshops, tours, talks, breakdancing, DJs, movie screenings, and live painting events. This year the festival is also delighted to partner with Wicklow Wolf, who will be serving up their full range of craft beers at its festival hub at The Forum.
Waterford Walls is made possible by the support of a whole host of sponsors and funders including Waterford Council, The Arts Council, Creative Ireland, Waterford Cultural Quarter, the European Festival Association, Colourtrend Paints, Montana Cans, Number 21, Zinnia, Fyrefli, Rapid Cabs and Fitzgerald Power. The embassies of France, Italy, Portugal and Belgium support the participation of artists from their countries.
Join Waterford Walls in commemorating a decade of art, community, and creativity this August. For more details, visit wallsproject.ie or follow on social media. This is a celebration you won’t want to miss!
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Waterford City and County Council wishes to advise that the Local Elections Candidate Nomination Week has closed, and the period of withdrawal has now passed.
Paul Johnston, Acting Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council and Local Elections Returning Officer stated, “Over the course of the nomination week, we received 79 representations from candidates or their proposers, all of which have been validated. These candidates will contest for 32 seats across six electoral areas in Waterford City and County on June 7th.”
Details of all candidates contesting Waterford Local Elections 2024 can be found on Waterford Elections Hub website Waterford Elections (arcgis.com) or users may enter their Eircode to find candidates in their particular area.
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Waterford City and County Council, working with Waterford Integration Services, Everyevent and Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ), is delighted to announce plans for Africa Day 2024, which will include a range of activities including two music stages, dance groups, market stalls, children’s activities, petting zoo, food tasting and much more to celebrate the occasion.
These activities will take place within the heart of Waterford Cultural Quarter on O’Connell Street on Saturday, May 25th from 12 noon to 4pm.
Africa Day celebrates the richness of African cultures and the contribution of people of African descent to Irish life. Africa Day celebrations are organised by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with African embassies in Ireland and local authorities around the country.
Launching Africa Day Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., said, “I am delighted to launch the programme for Africa Day 2024. Ireland has growing trade, political and cultural links across the continent of Africa. Africa Day is an opportunity to promote those links and learn more about the diversity and vibrancy of African cultures.“The Department of Foreign Affairs is working with local authorities around Ireland on a nationwide programme of events.”
Africa Day is the annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures, and potential of the African continent. This year, all 31 Local Authorities across Ireland will host various cultural, artistic, and family-friendly events. These will include contemporary African-Irish culture, as well as family fun days, fashion, art, film, music, dance, and food events, which will take place in towns and cities across Ireland.
To find out more about Africa Day 2024 visit www.AfricaDay.ie or follow Africa Day on social media.
The fun factor gauge is rising! So many people are enjoying #BikeWeek.
Over 20 young people from the 19th & 29th St Mary’s Ballygunner Scout Group with scout leaders Steve Silby, Niamh McCarthy and Sophie Counihan enjoyed Waterford Council’s Greenway Tea-Time Cycle in the City. It’s wonderful to see the interest.
Keep it going and check out www.bikeweek.ie for all the information you need to take part.
Facilities Updates
National Biodiversity Week is an annual celebration of wildlife and nature over 10-days of events nationwide. Waterford City & County Council are running several free guided wildlife walks & talks over the week along with supporting local community groups, Bealtaine Living Earth Festival and the promotion of partner events by environmental NGOs.
In Waterford this year, Waterford City & County Council will partner with a number of organisations throughout the week to explore the habitats of Dungarvan, Dunmore East and Clashmore, host online invasive species talks with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and support the work of local communities endeavouring to protect nature on their own doorstep. There are lots of ways to get involved through photography, participating in fieldtrips or attending family days across the county.
This is a great week to explore more of your local habitats and green spaces with an eye on wildlife. Check out some of the great events below and if you have any questions, feel free to ask the Biodiversity Officer, Marina Mulligan at mmulligan@waterfordcouncil.ie Biodiversity Week also runs in parallel with World Bee Day on 20th May, International Day for Biological Diversity on 22nd May and National Invasive Species Week. Biodiversity Week is funded by the National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) are the body responsible for coordinating the event each year.
Follow along: As part of Biodiversity Week, a new Instagram account (waterford_biodiversity) for WCCC Biodiversity will kick off with new content and information on species, habitats and events weekly.
Events in Waterford include:
May 17th – Launch of the Biodiversity and Sustainability Forum by SETU (Registration now closed).
May 18th – Dungarvan Library Talk & Walk: The Wildlife of Dungarvan Harbour (Dungarvan Library & Harbour, 12 noon – 1.30 pm) and IWDG Whale Watching at Helvic Head (5 pm – 7 pm, book here). Native Woodland Trust Walk at Gracedieu Wood (10.30 am – 2 pm, book here). Nature Photography course (Clashmore event, info attached).
May 18th: Waterford Gallery of Art: Drawing with Nature for National Drawing Day X Biodiversity Week (11 am – 1 pm, book here)
May 21st – Invasive Species for Community Groups (online, 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm, link to join in pdf)
May 22nd – Irish Wildlife Trust Bat Walk (8 pm – 10 pm, book here)
May 23rd – Scouts Talk & Walk: Coastal Species of Dunmore East (Dunmore Library, 7 pm – 8 pm)
May 24th – Tramore Eco Group X WCCC: Dunes Walk at Tramore Beach (Tramore Beach, 3 pm – 4.30 pm)
May 25th – Clashmore Community Council X WCCC: Biodiversity Walk of Clashmore (Clashmore Heritage Centre, 2.30 pm – 4 pm)
Plenty more events happening throughout the county organised by small community groups and volunteers! Schools who would like to engage with the Biodiversity Officer as a 40 minute online talk can do so over the course of the week by contacting mmulligan@waterfordcouncil.ie
Bealtaine Living Earth Festival
The 20th annual Bealtaine Living Earth Festival takes place from 18 – 26 May 2024 with events for adults, families and schools across the region.
There are over 20 free events across the region to celebrate biodiversity and natural heritage in the Southeast.
Highlight: A special event about Bees and pollinators will take place next Sunday, May 19 at 3pm (the eve of International Bee Day) at St Patrick’s Gateway, Waterford featuring Eanna ní Lamhna and SETU horticulturalist Yvonne Grace.
More info & events: www.livingearth.ie
Clashmore & Kinsalebeg Community Council
Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council have organised a range of photography, biodiversity and birdwatching events over three days. Check out the pdf above.
Highlight: Nature Photography course on Saturday 18th May! Prep for your nature photo entries.
Biodiversity Photographer of the Year
The national Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition is open to professional and amateur photographers under a number of categories with a deadline of May 31st to enter. Check out your local wildlife and habitats and submit your photos to be in with a chance to win a number of prizes with a top prize of €500 for the overall winner. This year also has a special Ocean Category to link in with Fair Seas campaign for marine protected areas in Ireland. Let’s get some Waterford photos in the mix!
Link: https://biodiversityweek.ie/photo-competitions/
Backyard Bioblitz
Take part in the Biodiversity Week Backyard Bioblitz 17th – 26th May 2023
Explore your local area to discover fabulous flora and fauna! Our ecologists and wildlife experts will identify it for you! Simply share it on Twitter or Instagram with #BackyardBioblitz. As a bonus, you’ll also be entered into the draw for a prize from the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Link: https://biodiversityweek.ie/backyard-bioblitz/
Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt
Recommend your local school to take part in a 40-minute school scavenger hunt to discover species ‘In Our School Yard’ or ‘In Our School Garden’. Please share your results with the IEN and your local Biodiversity Officer.
Link: https://biodiversityweek.ie/biodiversity-scavenger-hunt/
Happy Biodiversity Week! Feel free to share widely and send photos of wildlife on to me during the week @waterford_biodiversity Instagram. You could feature on the new Biodiversity website and win a prize.
An estimated 140,000 residents set to take part in Street Feast this year. Ireland’s national weekend of street parties and community celebrations takes place 25th and 26th May 2024
Annually there are more Street Feast participants than Electric Picnic attendees! From city slickers to countryside dwellers, everyone’s invited to the feast. Whether you’ve got a front yard, a street corner, or just a spot to gather, Street Feast knows no bounds.
President Michael D. Higgins said: “We must all by now realise the importance of community, inclusion, creativity and togetherness – all values that require support and a conscious effort of care, protection and solidarity. Initiatives such as Street Feast provide exactly that type of opportunity.”
Street Feast will be held over two days instead of one for the first time meaning a full weekend of celebrations. Over 1,250 communities across Ireland will share food and enjoy some conversation and camaraderie this summer – any excuse to connect with people in your neighbourhood. So let’s get planning.
Organisers say that no matter what kind of place you live in, everyone is invited to participate and host gatherings. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or house, all you need is a space to bring people together. Street Feast has had parties organised in front gardens, on streets and greens, in car parks, laneways, local parks and community centres.
Minister Joe O’Brien: “I am delighted to support Street Feast 2024. The core work of my Department is strengthening communities and enhancing social inclusion. It is important to find ways to connect with people and focus on the importance of neighbours in our communities. Street Feast provides a fantastic opportunity to make time for each other outside of family and friends. I would encourage local communities around the country to get involved in Street Feast 2024 and aim to build communities, tackle isolation and foster connections.”
Founder of Street Feast and Neighbourhood Network CEO, Sam Bishop, said: “For 14 years, Street Feast has been all about bringing folks together over food, fun, and fellowship. And the stats speak for themselves: 97% feel the neighbourly love post-feast, and a whopping 98% say their sense of belonging gets a boost. That’s the magic of community.”
Sam adds: “97% feel their neighbourhood is friendlier since hosting Street Feast and 98% say their sense of belonging has increased since Street Feast. That’s what it’s all about. Running it over two days instead of one will give people more opportunity to celebrate together.”
Register at StreetFeast.ie today and don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to bring your community together and celebrate. Once registered you’ll receive a FREE Street Feast party pack, complete with bunting, posters, invites and a brilliant DIY guide.
Street Feast wouldn’t be possible without the support of Government departments and Street Feast sponsors.
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Colm Tóibín, internationally acclaimed Irish author and current Laureate for Irish Fiction has released a new book ‘Long Island’, and will be in conversation with Mary Conway, Waterford City and County Librarian at Dungarvan Library at 7pm on Thursday, June 13th.
‘Long Island’ is the much-anticipated sequel to Tóibín’s 2009 novel ‘Brooklyn’ which was also adapted into a film in 2015. In ‘Long Island’ we see Eilis and Tony living a happy, secure life in Long Island twenty years on from the ending of ‘Brooklyn’. When a stranger with an Irish accent knocks on Eilis’s door however, she turns towards Ireland once again and the life she left behind. In his follow on to the best-selling and prizewinning novel ‘Brooklyn’ we see Tóibín at his best, a master of deeply moving scenes full of quiet restraint.
The author of eleven novels, including ‘The Magician’, ‘The Master’, ‘Nora Webster’ and ‘Brooklyn’, Colm Tóibín has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times, was winner of the International Dublin Literary award for ‘The Master’ and has won both the Costa Novel award and the Impac Award. He has published two collections of stories and many works of non-fiction. Tóibín is the Irene and Sidney B. Silverman Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and been named as the Laureate for Irish Fiction for 2022-2024 by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Waterford City and County Librarian, Mary Conway is looking forward to the evening stating, “I am delighted to welcome Colm Tóibín to Waterford and to Dungarvan Library, and look forward to discussing his wonderful writing with him. It is sure to be an insightful conversation.”
Tóibín will also discuss his inspirations including Henry James, his creative processes and the machinations of writing. As the current Laureate for Irish Fiction Tóibín will also speak about Irish writers and the new generation of writers representing Ireland.
While this event is free, booking is required by calling Dungarvan Library on 058-21141.
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If you’re eager to make a tangible impact on environmental sustainability, apply for the Circular Economy Grant 2024, run by Waterford City and County Council.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today launching a high-profile campaign aimed at educating the public about the use of e-scooters.
The campaign will commence on Monday, 20 May 2024, the day when new regulations for e-scooters will come into effect. The tv-led campaign is supported by video-on-demand, radio, digital audio, social media and out-of-home advertising. The campaign is set in an office environment where colleagues welcome the newbie. The colleagues are dressed as various characters such as Bus, Truck, Motorbike, Car and Bicycle and the newbie E-scooter. The characters interact with each other while highlighting six of the main rules of the road that apply to e-scooter use.
The campaign focuses on communicating the main Rules of the Road relating to e-scooters and other road users sharing the roads together.
From 20 May, e-scooters can be used:
E-scooters are not permitted:
E-scooters must be treated with the same care as people who cycle.
In addition, where a bicycle is not permitted, e-scooters are not permitted either. Rules that cover bicycles apply to e-scooters. E-scooters are not permitted to have a seat.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “Next week marks an important change on Irish roads. We are asking people on e-scooters and other road users to familiarise themselves with the traffic laws and regulations concerning this new vehicle type.”
“The RSA’s advertising campaign will be extensive and will support both e-scooters and other road users to understand how to share the roads safely together. It aims to remind all road users that we are all people sharing the roads together.”
An e-scooter is a vehicle with a small standing platform and no seat, for use by one person only, with two or more wheels and propelled by an electric motor. The rider can also propel the e-scooter forward by pushing off the ground.
From 20 May, e-scooters are legal to use on public roads under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.
Breaking the Rules of the Road, not following regulations and improper or dangerous use of an e-scooter will likely result in a fixed charge notice (fine).
Motorists sharing the road with e-scooters should follow the same guidelines as for sharing the road with people who cycle. Drivers should give at least one metre clearance when overtaking an e-scooter user in speed zones that are 50 km/h or under, and at least 1.5 metres in speed zones over 50 km/h.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding e-scooters are available here.
Further information on the RSA campaign is available here E-scooters (rsa.ie)
Please see https://www.gov.ie/ for more information on e-scooter regulations.
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Registering is easy.
Log on to icob.ie using details sent by your local authority.
Deadline to register is now midnight 29th May 2024.
Receive your payment of up to €5,000.
This past Saturday morning, Waterford City & County Council hosted an invigorating “Dawn Cycle” event, marking a special start to Bike Week 2024. As the sun began to peek over the horizon, approximately twenty cycling enthusiasts gathered in Waterford at the brisk hour of 6 am, setting the stage for a memorable ride to Tramore.
The event, part of a nationwide celebration to promote cycling as detailed on the Transport for Ireland’s Bike Week page, aimed to highlight the benefits of cycling, both for personal health and as a sustainable transport option. The journey from Waterford city to scenic Tramore offered participants a unique opportunity to experience the tranquility of the early morning, with quiet streets and the fresh, crisp air of the dawn creating a perfect backdrop.
Riders of all ages and abilities joined the cycle, demonstrating the inclusive spirit of Bike Week. The camaraderie among participants was palpable, with seasoned cyclists and beginners alike sharing laughs, stories, and encouragement.
Upon arrival in Tramore, cyclists were greeted with stunning views of the coastline, a rewarding sight after their early morning endeavor. The event concluded with a communal cuppa where stories were shared over cups of coffee and breakfast treats at the T-Bay surf club on the prom.
As Bike Week continues, Waterford Council hopes to see more residents choosing bicycles as their preferred mode of transport, inspired by the success of this picturesque early morning ride.
See the flyer below for more events throughout Waterford for Bike Week 2024, and consider joining the cycling revolution to better health and a cleaner environment!
Candidate nomination papers for 7th June Local Elections, will be accepted from 9.30am on Monday 13th May 2024. The closing date for the acceptance of complete and valid nomination papers and all required supporting documentation is 12 noon on Saturday 18th May 2024.
Nomination Papers
Completed nomination papers must be delivered in person to the Returning Officer, Paul Johnston or his nominee by either yourself as the candidate or your proposer. Nominations delivered by any other means including post, email etc. are not acceptable and will be deemed invalid. This process is by appointment only.
In order to facilitate candidates and minimise delays, please contact the Corporate Services office in advance to book an appointment for a mutually convenient time. Please contact either Anne Flynn at 051-849685 or Honor Dunphy at 051-849695 in this regard.
Forms and guidelines for propsective candidates can be found on our Elections Hub.
